Rosie the Riveter

Tickets $12.00 - $15.00 with Senior, Group and Military rates available

Rosie the Riveter has been a cultural icon for generations: an inspiring image of a strong, capable woman rising to the challenge of her era and the foundation for the contemporary women’s movement. Rosie has become a symbol of feminism and women’s economic power.

Explore the Rosie phenomenon with a presentation by Wilbur Jones that covers women in all aspects of service to the nation. Rosie's famous motto, "We Can Do It," meant two things: united, our nation will win the war; and, we women will make a difference in the workplace. The Rosie impact actually started the postwar women's liberation movement.

Followed by a special performance by Elizabeth Michaels as Rosie the Riveter!

There will be an exhibition of Rosie the Riveter memorabilia featuring a vast collection of artifacts, posters, artwork, dolls, bric-a-brac, books, and more in the museum lobby of the Historic USO Building.

Wilbur Jones is a Wilmington native, retired Navy captain, military historian, and the author of 18 books, including two award-winners on wartime Wilmington and Southeastern North Carolina. A frequent writer for the Wilmington StarNews media, his principal field of study is WWII. He is founder and chairman of the WWII Wilmington Home Front Heritage Coalition, past chairman of the USS North Carolina Battleship Commission (currently a commissioner), and leads an effort to have the U.S. Congress designate Wilmington as the first "American WWII City."

Elizabeth Michaels is an experienced actress who began her career after high school with vast experience in community and regional theatre. Ms. Michaels settled in the Philadelphia area where she became involved with The American Historical Theatre as a historical storyteller. She has portrayed several famous women from the 1700’s to the present time with her favorites being Dolley Madison and Rosie the Riveter. Ms. Michaels has performed at the White House Visitors Center, the National Portrait Gallery, and the Valley Forge National Park just to name a few venues. Elizabeth is also a narrator of books on tape for Audible.com.

Our Management

The Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center is managed by the staff of the The Thalian Association, the Official Community Theater of North Carolina.

The Thalian Association is a non-profit, membership organization founded in 1788 to provide arts education and bring the excitement of the performing arts to Wilmington. The organization has its offices and holds auditions at the Community Arts Center. The Center also hosts the Thalian Children's Theater classes and performances.